To investigate whether cerebral pH can serve as an early
biomarker of neurodegeneration, we conducted a study on a rat model of
Huntingtons disease (n=5, chronic intoxication using 3-NP). Cerebral pH was
measured at D0, D1, D3 and D5 post-intoxication using a 31P-PRESS
sequence. T2-weighted imaging was performed to detect cerebral lesions. This
study shows a significant increase in cerebral pH before the onset of striatal
lesions (pHD0=7.080.03 vs. pHD3=7.170.02). Furthermore,
pH variations are shown to correlate with SDH inhibition (p<0.05).
Consequently, cerebral pH appears to be a relevant early biomarker of
neurodegeneration, reflecting precocious metabolic changes.